“The only constant in life is change.” And to be honest, it would be hard to argue with the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who is credited with this idea. If the so-called wisdom that comes with age and experience teaches any lesson, it’s this: changes are inevitable and we must embrace change in order to survive, evolve and thrive as human beings.
This certainly applies to the world of higher education, where change sweeps across campuses decade after decade, continually transforming the industry and institutions. Those of us who reside in campus recreation are not immune to the impact of these changes. As a matter of fact, campus rec has proven itself to be highly resilient in the face of change. Our field has transformed and evolved over the decades to meet the demands put forth by the shifting higher ed landscape.
When I entered campus rec as a professional over 30 years ago — 1992 to be exact — our field was extremely different. Intramural sports was the lifeblood of campus rec programming. Rec centers themselves were not yet appreciated for the impact they have on student recruitment and retention. The wellness wheel guided our commitment to “physical wellness” but “well-being” had not entered our vernacular. And esports? Rec professionals scoffed at the idea of video gaming having a place in campus rec. Video games were for “couch potatoes” and conflicted with our mission of supporting the physical wellness of our students.
But to paraphrase a different kind of philosopher by the name of Bob Dylan, the times certainly were “a changin’” over the past 30 years. Our field has evolved and grown to a point where our work plays an instrumental and invaluable role in the lives of our schools.
The following are seven of the most significant changes I’ve observed in campus recreation over the past 30-plus years.
1. Women and Weights
There was a time when it was a rare sight to see female students and staff venturing into our male dominant free weight facilities. But now, driven by changing trends in fitness and high school sports, women are far more comfortable training with free weights. While we still strive to make females feel more comfortable, the weight room gender gap has noticeably improved.
2. From Wellness to Well-being
Rec professionals have always recognized our field’s contributions to wellness. But the advent of the well-being movement in higher education has changed the game. Campus rec has been at the forefront of the well-being movement, with rec professionals embracing the value of and importance of well-being, and spearheading well-being initiatives at their institutions.
3. The Advent of the “A” Word
It’s hard to remember a time when “assessment” was not in our everyday vocabulary,. However, there was a time when assessing the work we do was not prioritized the way it is today. Assessment of our programs, services, facilities and patrons has evolved into an essential function that not only helps rec departments justify their needs and resources, but also guides our work in our ongoing efforts to maximize the impact of campus recreation on our students and communities.
4. The Changing Landscape of Intramural Sports
Once the centerpiece of a rec sports program, intramural programs have seen participation decline in many cases over the past three decades. However, many intramural programs, especially in the post-COVID-19 era, have been reinventing intramural sports with creative solutions. These include non-traditional time slot offerings, shorter mini-leagues/tournaments and new sport choices. Intramural sports may have changed but they are certainly still here to stay.
5. Embracing Non-Traditional Programming
While intramural sports participation numbers may have fluctuated over the past three decades, rec departments have continued to thrive by embracing creative programming ideas across all areas of campus recreation. From a wider array of club sports to arts and craft programs in our rec centers, programming that targets a broader audience and is more inclusive drives student participation. And how about esports? Once frowned upon, a tremendous number of campus rec departments now oversee esports programs and facilities. Now that’s a significant change.
6. Building a Better Rec Center
Over the past three decades, executive leadership has come to recognize the impact a quality rec center has on both student recruitment and retention. This has led to the construction or renovation of dozens of campus rec centers. The result has been gorgeous, state-of-the-art facilities that are central hubs of student engagement and belonging. The modern rec center is fully equipped to meet the needs of the entire campus community. Today’s rec centers have a commitment to well-being and sustainability, appealing to students through distinctive architectural features including biophilic design elements and features that promote inclusivity and accessibility. Contemporary rec centers have integrated technology to improve operations and access control. They are also utilizing tech to enhance the user experience.
7. The Internet Changed Everything
Remember a world without email and social media? Many of us don’t. But undoubtedly the arrival of the internet reshaped how we do business. The digital age arrived to transform how we communicate, market to, and engage with students and colleagues. Departmental websites, apps, social media accounts, digital newsletters, email blasts, group chats and texts are now indispensable components of campus rec. It’s mind blowing to think we once existed without any of these digital tools.
While many things have changed in my 30-plus years in our field, there’s been one constant. Campus rec professionals are committed, caring and hardworking individuals dedicated to student success and satisfaction. Our ability to adapt and grow our profession — while never losing sight of our core mission of helping students thrive — is what makes campus recreation special, regardless of the inevitable changes that lie ahead.
Want to stay up-to-date on the trending topics our columnists write about? Subscribe here.
